Celebs Paid up to GBP2,458 a Minute to Natter

LONDON - New research out today from Tesco Mobile reveals the
incredible earning power of TV celebrities who get paid to talk, with some
earning as much as GBP2,458 per minute.

The research ties in with the launch of Tesco Mobile’s
Pay-As-You-Go tariff. While Tesco Mobile can’t offer customers GBP2,458 a
minute, they can triple their credit - proving that celebs are not the only
ones to benefit from talking more.

At the top of the list of celebrities reaping high rewards for
their natter, was London hypnotist Paul McKenna, who values his talk time at
a huge GBP2,458 per minute - substantially more than any of his counterparts.

Other TV presenters raking in the pounds include X-Factor star
Simon Cowell who charges up to GBP224.30 every minute he roasts another
aspiring performer, and the nation’s favourite Cheshire lass, Strictly Come
Dancing presenter, Tess Daly, who earns a respectable GBP133 each minute.

Not to be outdone by her English rivals, Welsh warbler
Charlotte Church proves that she’s a mum that can still bring in the big
bucks at a competitive GBP48.10 per minute - that’s GBP2,886 an hour.

The most expensive British celebrity talkers are:

1. Paul McKenna (GBP2,458.00 per minute)

2. Simon Cowell (GBP224.30 per minute)

3. Tess Daly (GBP133.00 per minute)

4. Sir Trevor McDonald (GBP100.00 per minute)

5. Charlotte Church (GBP48.10 per minute)

6. Fern Britton (GBP22.50 per minute)

7/8 Tony Blair (GBP16.00 per minute)

7/8 Sir Alex Ferguson (GBP16.00 per minute)

9. Chris Moyles (GBP11.50 per minute)

10. Kirsty Gallacher (GBP6.60 per minute)

TV presenters are unrivalled as the highest earning
celebrities in the UK. But the talk-time rates vary broadly - men earn more
than women and Paul McKenna who commands the highest talk-time fee per minute
charges more than ten times the rate of Simon Cowell, the second most
expensive celebrity talker.

As part of the research Tesco Mobile also examined how much
those who talk for a living earn for a minute of conversation. Voice over
artists trumped even politicians, lawyers and doctors at GBP1.67 each minute
for their talk-time. Life coaches are in second place earning a very decent
GBP1.25 per minute, followed by non-celebrity DJs.

At the bottom of the professionals list are priests, charging
only 5p per minute for talk-time - making for some very cheap sermons.

Tesco Mobile’s pay as you go tariff gives customers free credit when they
top up to spend how they like on calls, texts and browsing. For example,
customers topping up by GBP15 will get GBP30 extra credit for free.

Lance Batchelor, Chief Executive Officer of Tesco Mobile and
Tesco Telecoms commented:

“As our research shows, talk isn’t always cheap and that is
why we’re pleased to be able to reward our customers with triple credit for
the chatting they do.”

More information on Tesco Mobile’s triple your credit tariff can be found
at: www.tescomobile.com

EDITOR’S NOTES

The research was undertaken by Research Insight for Tesco
Mobile. For further details on the sources consulted for the rates quoted
please contact the press office.

Rates per minute by profession:

1. Voice over artist (GBP1.67 per minute)

2. Life coach (GBP1.25 per minute)

3. Radio DJ (non-celebrity) (GBP1.14 per minute)

4. Teacher (GBP0.40 per minute)

5. Lawyer (GBP0.36 per minute)

6. Psychiatrist (GBP0.32 per minute)

7. Doctor (GP) (GBP0.26 per minute)

8. Publicist (GBP0.20 per minute)

9. Taxi driver (GBP0.18 per minute)

10 / 11 Politician (Local MP) (GBP0.13 per minute) / Horse whisperer
(GBP0.13 per minute)

12 / 13 Receptionist (GBP0.10 per minute) / Bingo caller (GBP0.10 per
minute)

14. Priest (GBP0.05 per minute)

Free credit can be used for calls and texts to UK mobiles and landlines
starting 01, 02 and 03 as well as picture messaging and mobile internet
browsing.

About Tesco Mobile:

Tesco Mobile is a 50:50 joint venture between Tesco and O2.
The company sells exclusively Tesco Mobile branded services in Tesco stores
across the UK using O2’s technology and network. The service gives Tesco
Mobile customers value, simplicity and choice, offering them supermarket
style offers and the chance to earn Clubcard points when buying handsets and
call time.

Source: Tesco Mobile

For further information please contact: Joanna Kinloch, Tesco Mobile, +44-(0)7770-435-943, Joanna.kinloch at tescomobile.com